Live Blog: 100 to 150 arrests expected by end of night

A protester is carried away after being arrested in Oakland, Calif. Friday Nov. 5, 2010 after a rally protesting the Johannes Mehserle sentence turned into a violent march to the Eastlake neighborhood. Protestors had gathered in reaction to the sentencing of former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Oscar Grant III. (Karl Mondon/Staff)

A Los Angeles judge has sentenced former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle to two years in prison and given him credit for 292 days of time already served in jail. Someone in Oscar Grant's family said "no surprise here" after the sentence was read. Many members of Grant's family were visibly upset when the sentence was read.

10:15 p.m.: 100 to 150 arrests expected by end of night

The last police briefing of the evening started about 9:45 p.m. Mayor Ron Dellums repeated what he'd said at previous briefings -- that he understood people's feelings but thought people should have expressed those through nonviolent behavior. He acknowledged that not everyone crossed that line.

Chief Anthony Batts said that he feels for the Mehserle and Grant families. He talked about violence against officers and said he was very disappointed in what happened.

"We bent over backwards" to allow for a peaceful protest, but some people chose to march through the city and tear it up, he said, citing rocks and bottles being thrown at officers and fences being ripped down.

He expects 100 to 150 arrests will be made by the end of the night. Most of the arrests were for disturbing the peace and unlawful assembly.

Batts said that usually after police declare unlawful assembly, they give people time to leave the area. He said, however, that police were not going to allow a repeat of what happened in July after the verdict was read.

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The arrests were made "to show that you can't do this in the city of Oakland." Police will protect people's right to protest, "but not to tear this city up. This has to stop."

Batts said police thought that after the downtown demonstration, protesters would march to deFremery Park for a another peaceful demonstration. Instead, some people bolted into East Oakland and became violent.

Deputy Chief Eric Breshears said the area where some officers had been attacked or hurt -- on 6th and 7th Avenues between near East 17th Street -- had been declared a crime scene earlier in the evening to clear the media out of the area and make sure the scene wasn't contaminated.

Batts said police don't anticipate any problems happening Saturday.

9:15 p.m.: MLK Way reopening, police set to hold briefing

Police are opening Martin Luther King Jr. Way in front of the Emergency Operation City between 16th and 17th streets.

A police briefing is scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m.

8:50 p.m. Police make arrests after declaring unlawful assembly

Police have arrested at least 100 people for unlawful assembly, though some could face other charges for throwing rocks and other crimes. At least 16 people have been processed on 6th Avenue between East 17th and East 18th streets, police said.

A block away from the area where the arrests were made, about 40 people gathered and chanted, "Let them go, let them go," and took pictures of those under arrest with cell phone cameras.

8:10 p.m. No one at deFremery Park despite planned rally from 6:30-10 p.m.

DeFremery Park is empty. There are no cars in the parking lot and no people in the park.

Meanwhile, police have arrested at least 60 people at 6th Avenue between East 17th and East 18th Street. Those arrested are being processed and put on a bus.

"The time for patience and restraint is over," police Chief Anthony Batts said.

Police on the ground, from almost every agency in the East Bay and beyond, have been assisted by the Oakland police helicopter, which is only deployed in emergency situations.

There are about 50 police near City Hall but very few protesters. Police are guarding businesses that were destroyed during the July unrest.

In the Uptown area, the protest doesn't seem to have deterred people from attending First Friday, where art galleries are open late. Uptown restaurants are busy, and eateries on Broadway also are bustling.

The Fruitvale BART Station has reopened.

7:50 p.m.: Police declare "illegal assembly," about 20 in restraints

Police Chief Batts said officers are making multiple announcements to the crowd at 7th Avenue and East 17th Street that "this is an illegal assembly."

About 20 people are sitting on the ground with wrist-tie restraints. Police are pulling people out of the crowd and arresting them. There is still tension between police and protesters.

Batts said officers expect to make arrests in "about an hour or an hour or half ... when we should have total control."

7:45 p.m.: Police restraining people at 7th Avenue and East 17th Street

Police have announced to the crowd that they are going to begin arresting people. They are telling protesters not to resist and to follow officers' orders.

Officers are using wristbands to secure people's hands. People are surrendering and allowing themselves to be cuffed. Six people are on the ground in handcuffs.

"Do not resist arrest," police are saying. "You will not be hurt in any way."

Someone has lit a trash can on fire, and an officer is putting the fire out with his boot.

One man is fighting back and being tackled.

7:35 p.m. Police have boxed in about 200 people at 7th Avenue and East 17th Street

Police have boxed in about 200 people at 7th Avenue and East 17th Street. It looks like the police have contained them.

One officer had his gun ripped from his gunbelt and pointed at him in a backyard in the area. Other officers intervened and made an arrest.

7:30 p.m.: Reporters stuck between police, protesters

Reporters are stuck between the police skirmish line and protesters at 6th Avenue and East 18th Street. Protesters are yelling, "We are all Oscar Grant."

A thin layer of press photographers is between the police and protesters. There are a lot of angry people, and the police appear to have decided to end this here.

7:20 p.m.: Officer hit in chest with brick, two BART stations closed

The Fruitvale and Lake Merritt BART stations are closed, but trains are still running through the stations.

A police officer has been hit in the chest with a brick at 6th Avenue and East 18th Street. He fell to the ground but got back up.

In the same area, police have their beanbag shotguns out and are moving in on the protesters. A homeowner in the area came out of his house and yelled at a protester after he jumped on his car. At least one police officer has been injured by a rock.

Police have arrested at least one person. The crowd continues to splinter off and run though backyards. Someone at an apartment complex on 6th Avenue threw a firecracker in the air, but no one was injured. There is another group on 5th Avenue at Foothill Boulevard.

7 p.m.: Protesters bust out bus and business windows

Protesters have busted out two windows of an AC Transit bus at Lakeshore Avenue and International Boulevard and broken a window at a sign company at 22nd Avenue and International.

There is graffiti on buildings there that says "Justice for Oscar Grant" and "(Expletive) the police." The main group has splintered into smaller groups as police follow behind the crowds. Some groups have walked 15 blocks.

The city of Oakland has set up a hot line for people to get updates about the situation. The number is 510-444-2489. There also are updates on www.oaklandnet.com.

6:55 p.m.: Police box in crowd at East 2nd and 10th, crowd pushes down fence

A few hundred people were blocked in at East 2nd Street and 10th Avenue as police call in extra officers. Someone ripped down a temporary construction chain-link fence near the Kaiser Center, and now the crowd is marching in a stream and is nearing the lake.

Many are wearing bandannas over their faces. There are helicopters in the air, shining lights on the crowd. The crowd is stretched out on 1st Avenue and East 10th Street to about International Boulevard, possibly heading toward the Fruitvale BART station. Police are trying to contain them as they march.

6:50 p.m.: Crowd turns unruly near Laney College

The crowd, about a block long, is moving east on 10th Street and could be headed to the Fruitvale BART station.

There are people in the crowd fist-fighting one another. The unruly crowd has reached Laney College, and there is no order to the group.

Police have Fallon Street blocked off. Protesters have stomped a car at 10th and Oak streets. Some protesters have T-shirts covering their faces.

There are people pushing baby carriages, riding bikes and dancing in the crowd as the crowd marches with a massive banner that says, "Justice for Oscar Grant."

Police are forming skirmish lines at East 2nd Street and 10th Avenue. Police have riot gear on, and protesters are demanding to be let through.

The police briefing scheduled for 6:30 p.m. has been delayed for at least 30 minutes.

6:30 p.m.: Police are blocking Broadway

Police are blocking Broadway between and 12th and 14th streets. As people started walking down 14th Street, some young people were jumping up on cars. It's not clear where the crowd of hundreds is headed.

Police are out in full force on side streets off 14th Street as the crowd moves toward Lake Merritt. Police motorcycle officers are heading parallel to the crowd up 13th Street.

6:25 p.m.: Crowd on the move toward 14th and Broadway

Several hundred people have moved onto Broadway and are chanting "Justice for Oscar Grant," waving signs and blocking traffic in both directions. Someone has unfurled a large banner that says "Justice for Oscar Grant," as the crowd moves up 14th Street toward Franklin Street.

About 40 Oakland police officers, Mountain View police and Santa Clara sheriff's deputies are on the scene. There are some people wearing bandannas over their faces as they march eastbound on 14th Street.

6:10 p.m.: Crowd starting to leave Oakland City Hall

Police are at the ready as the crowd of about 300 people begin to leave the plaza outside City Hall. The permit for use of the plaza ended at 6 p.m.

A few minutes ago, about 200 people in the crowd, on the urging of one speaker, turned around and faced police and held up their middle fingers. Others urged peace. People are chanting "We are all Oscar Grant, we are all Oscar Grant."

Representatives from the National Lawyers' Guild are out in the plaza, handing out their phone number to people in the crowd in case they are arrested later tonight.

As the sun is setting, there are far fewer people in downtown Oakland than were there in July after the Mehserle verdict.

Meanwhile, The East Bay Meditation Center at 2147 Broadway is holding a vigil of compassion until 8:30 p.m. They are asking people to join them at any point to spread a message of peace, compassion and healing.

5:35 p.m.: More than a dozen police agencies have officers out in force

Oakland police Chief Anthony Batts, for the third time today, will brief the media on the situation at City Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Police from as far away as Monterey County, San Mateo and Sunnyvale are assisting Oakland police.

The crowd at Oakland City Hall is continuing to grow with an estimated 400 people now in the plaza. The crowd is mostly peaceful, but some people are getting riled up.

One unidentified woman, who spoke to the crowd, told the crowd to wave at the two police helicopters buzzing overhead.

"They are watching us. They are waiting for you to give them a reason (to act)," she said. "I don't want to see no black or brown blood in these streets today, and I don't want to no black or brown bodies behind bars tomorrow."

5:15 p.m.: People say they came to City Hall for a variety of reasons

About 400 people are gathered at City Hall, including one man in an Oscar Grant mask who is distributing paper Oscar Grant masks to others.

The crowd is still peaceful, listening to music, standing around and listening to speakers. People said they came out to City Hall for a variety of reasons.

"It's truly a tragedy. It's a shame," said Chester Byrd, 64, of San Francisco, about the two-year sentence. "I'm here to see what's going on and want to see how the police will react."

Ben Gandesberg, a 17-year-old Piedmont High School cross country team member, said he was running by City Hall when he saw the crowd. "We were just kind of interested in what was going on," he said.

Kiwi Illafonte, 36, said he feels it's good to see the community come together. "But for me personally, I don't think that it's helping to heal or make use of my anger," he said.

Alex Grassy, 34, of Oakland, said he thinks it's "surreal to see all the cops standing around in groups and to hear all this inflammatory speech about themselves."

4:55 p.m.: Police chief says officers are introducing themselves to 16 people who caused the most trouble after Mehserle verdict

In his second briefing to the media, Police Chief Anthony Batts said officers from various agencies have been introducing themselves to about 16 people who caused the most trouble in July after the verdict in the Mehserle trial was announced.

He said they are saying, "It's a pleasure to see you, and we are aware of you."

Batts said the music and other events at City Hall are slated to end at 6 p.m. Batts said officers would use a "very light hand" and allow the assemblage at City Hall unless people are "doing something that is outrageous" or disrupting traffic.

4:40 p.m. Police Chief Batts speaking to media at the Emergency Operations Center, man in Grant mask has been spotted.

While Police Chief Anthony Batts speaks to the media at the Emergency Operations Center in downtown Oakland, and hundreds of police roam the streets of downtown, a man wearing an Oscar Grant has just wondered through the crowd in front of City Hall. In July, in the aftermath of the Mehserle sentencing, many in Grant masks broke windows, disobeyed police, and damaged property with fires and graffiti. Batts said about 16 people have been identified as those who did damage and police are on the lookout for them.

4:25 p.m.: People signing banner at City Hall, crowd remains peaceful

People are signing a banner at Oakland City Hall with political and personal messages. Some are signing their names; others are not. The Rev. Mutima Imang from the East Bay Church of Religious Science is blessing the poster and the crowd with sage. Orlando Chavez wrote, "Stop racist killer cops," while someone who did not sign a name wrote, "Too many cops, too little justice."

Employees from Bad Boys Bail Bonds in Oakland have started distributing lanyards with the name of the company and its toll-free phone number printed on the thick piece of material.

There still are about 300 people gathered in front of Oakland City Hall, and so far the crowd has been nonviolent. Hundreds of police officers from at least 12 outside police agencies and as far as Monterey County are assisting Oakland police downtown.

Police Chief Anthony Batts and Mayor Ron Dellums will address the media at the Emergency Operations Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 4:30 p.m.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, says she is "deeply troubled with the inequities that exist in our justice system." Lee, who issued a statement after Mehserle's sentencing, said she is going to continue to urge the Department of Justice to investigate the matter.

"After nearly two years of dealing with the tragic death of Oscar Grant and its aftermath, today's sentencing is another step in what has been a long, profoundly difficult process for both the family of Oscar Grant and our community," the statement said.

"I remain deeply troubled with the inequities that exist in our justice system. We must address these challenges head on. During this time, however, it is imperative our city come together peacefully. Meanwhile, there are about 300 people in downtown Oakland in front of City Hall, which closed at 3 p.m. and sent employees home.

The Sears near the 19th Street BART station is closing early. The store, which usually stays open until 8 p.m., will be closed just after sunset. Sears suffered major damage after the Mehserle verdict in July. Windows were broken and mannequins were burned in the street. Around downtown Oakland, more police are patrolling the streets.

Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, who watched on TV the Grant family react to the sentencing, said he saw them react with "anger, disappointment, great pain and an extraordinary hurt." In their eyes, "the test of justice was not met."

Dellums said he hopes "people will express their anger, disappointment, outrage and their pain in a manner that is nonviolent and not destructive to our community."

Police Chief Anthony Batts declined to say how many police officers are on the streets or the number of outside police agencies helping out, but he said there are enough to respond to any problems. Batts said there are law enforcement out trained to recognized anarchists and other potential troublemakers.

"We have put in place plans to surgically remove (those people)," Batts said. He said people who spray paint graffiti or break windows will be arrested swiftly. Batts also said those who are arrested will be charged criminally or possibly sued for damages, like the City Attorney's Office did last week with four people involved in the unrest after the Mehserle verdict in July.

2:55 p.m. People gathering, speaking out about sentencing

In downtown, there are about 300 people gathered at City Hall, and more nearby businesses have boarded up. Others are shutting their doors, including Rite-Aid and Walgreens at 14th Street and Broadway.

Windows at the offices of Youth Radio at 17th and Broadway were boarded up Thursday night, and there are two people painting over the boards.

Shaun Burner, 29, of Sacramento, who said he's part of a national collective of mural painters called Trust Your Struggle, is painting a picture of Oscar Grant being hugged by his daughter, Tatiana. He's painting Grant as an older man, as if he had lived.

"I am trying to render of the human side of him," Burner said. "He was a person who was basically executed on video."

Burner said the people he's been talking to "are not very happy with the sentencing."

"I think it is unjust," he said. "Mehserle should be serving quite a bit of time in jail. He's not."

2:20 p.m.: Some downtown Oakland streets closed as police prepare for briefing, people speaking at City Hall

Police Chief Anthony Batts, City Administrator Dan Lindheim and Mayor Ron Dellums are preparing to speak to the media at 2:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Police have closed eastbound 17th Street at Castro Street. Both directions of Martin Luther King Jr. between 16th and 17th streets are closed. Albany and Emeryville police are manning the traffic posts.

At City Hall, a few hundred people are gathered listening to speeches. One man who spoke said, "It's a pattern. Why are all the people who get killed this way African-Americans? White life is worth more than black life. We can sugarcoat it, we can pretend the election of Barack Obama solves all our problems, but I, as a black man, can be shot facedown with impunity."

At the podium, a woman said, "We must take the power for ourselves. Don't rely on the police. They've been killing us on the streets, black and brown, but keep your poise. Make sure the truth gets out."

2:15 p.m.: Orange-vested peacekeepers hope to keep the calm downtown

Isaac Taggart and Roland Jones, peacekeepers working with Mayor Ron Dellums' office, are wearing orange safety vests and talking with police negotiators about preparations for the night.

"Our goal is for everything to be peaceful," Taggart said. "You always have splinter groups, but if they go that route, they will have to deal with the police officers."

Taggart, who is black, continued, "The justice system doesn't work for us. Someone could come out here and throw a rock through a window and get more time than Mehserle. We understand what people are feeling so we are basically here to bridge the gap between the community and the police officers."

2 p.m.: Black leaders condemn Mehserle's sentence

About 75 people have gathered at Oakland City Hall as African-American leaders from legal, religious and civil rights groups have released a statement condemning Mehserle's sentence.

"Former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle's sentence of two years (with credit for) time served for the shooting death of Oscar Grant is an example of everything wrong with the criminal justice system," the statement said.

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson is part of the group.

"How can we reasonably expect our young people to believe in the system when they can be shot in the back by law enforcement, on videotape, and the killer is not punished?" said Carson, chairman of the Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay. "In order for people to believe in the system, it has to treat everyone equally in the way it dispenses justice. To many, this sentence reinforces the belief that justice is not equal or fair. This is not justice for the family of Oscar Grant."

Organizations and individuals signing on to the statement include the Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay; The San Francisco Chapter of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights; the California Chapter and the Oakland Branch of the NAACP; Rabbi David Cooper, Kehilla Community Synagogue; and Minister Keith Muhammad, Nation of Islam.

"Don't riot," he said. "Life didn't stop when my grandson was killed. We have to live here. They could give him 100 years (in prison), and it won't bring my grandson back."

Grant did say he is bitter about the sentence.

"(Law enforcement) protect their own," he said. "I was in Vietnam. I was in a uniform. If I did something stupid, I'd be in Leavenworth (prison), but these guys are protecting their own."

In the area around City Hall, music is blaring and people are putting up banners that say "Justice for Grant," "Jail for all racist cop killers," "The fight is not over" and "Do not look to corrupt courts and killer cops for justice. Look to yourself and to your community."

A shrine is being set up, with a large drawing of Oscar Grant and a banner on the ground in front that says "Justice for Oscar Grant." People are signing it and writing messages.

Part of the planned demonstration near City Hall is a painting and poetry project. There's a portrait of Oscar Grant and another one of Malcolm X.

Many businesses are staying open in the area. Eva's shoe repair kiosk is open, as is a flower stand. A farmers market down the street in Chinatown is continuing. The Comerica and the T-Mobile store are shutting down, and Peet's Coffee might be closing early.

Alameda County sheriff's deputies and Berkeley police are downtown standing by in case violence breaks out.

1:10 p.m.: About two dozen people gather outside City Hall

"My reaction is visible," said Cat Brooks as she cried and stomped her feet. "This country has a history of young men of color being murdered by police. The anger of the people who are coming to this rally today is righteous."

People also repeatedly are yelling "burn baby burn" and "(Expletive) the police." Alameda County Sheriff's deputies are outside monitoring the crowd.

12:51 p.m.: No mass exodus from downtown, appears like regular lunchtime business

Mike McKane is helping his friend who owns Zaya Cafe in the 1700 block of Broadway put up boards over the windows.

"They stay open until 4, and they're going to try for that, but we're keeping an eye on the street. We just don't know what people are going to do."

The offices of East Para-Transit, also on the 1700 block of Broadway, are boarded up. There are security guards around many of the stores on 14th and Broadway that were damaged during the last protest.

There are more television vans than people in Frank Ogawa Plaza.

12:39 p.m.: Small group of protesters gather outside the courthouse

A small but growing group of protesters is gathering outside the Los Angeles courthouse where Mehserle is awaiting his sentence today.

"Justice for Oscar Grant" signs can be seen as the crowd waits patiently for the sentence to be handed down. More people are gathering outside the court now that word has gotten out that a ruling is imminent.

There appears to be a collective holding of breath in downtown Oakland and outside the court in Los Angeles.

12:33 p.m.: Very much a "wait and see" vibe in downtown Oakland

Men's Warehouse on Broadway is totally boarded up. Lots of police are roaming around, but it still is very calm downtown. Not many people are on the street. Foot Locker, which was looted in July, also is boarded up.

When Mehserle made a statement in court today, he reportedly was very emotional.

12:14 p.m.: Things all quiet downtown.

Walgreens at 14th and Broadway and T-Mobile nearby have been boarded up. Both suffered damage during past Mehserle protests. People now are being brought into the courtroom, we're hearing. We are expecting a decision very shortly.